In a shocking turn of events, Fidel Castro has resigned as the leader of Cuba as a result of health problems, despite his infamous claims that he would remain in control of Cuba until his death.

“My wishes have always been to discharge my duties to my last breath,” he said in his resignation letter. “That’s all I can offer.”

This announcement sent shock waves throughout the international community, but not at home in Cuba. According to an article on cnn.com, “Castro, 81, revealed his plans in a letter published in the middle of the night in the online version of Cuba’s state-run newspaper, Granma.”

“I will not aspire to, nor will I accept the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief,” Castro wrote. “I wish only to fight as a soldier of ideas. ... Perhaps my voice will be heard.”

Castro’s announcement should have shaken the world as a tremendous, potentially history-altering moment, but it appears that the decision has had little impact on the Cuban population. To an outside observer, it might appear that it’s just any other normal day in Cuba.

According to CNN, “The streets of Cuba’s capital, Havana, reflected the normal comings and goings of residents. No gatherings or rallies erupted at Castro’s news.”

How can this be? One would think that Castro’s self-imposed removal would ignite a glorious uproar from Cuban citizens. After all, Castro’s reign has marked one of the remaining stalwarts of the global communist regime. Is it possible that Castro wasn’t that bad after all? Or is it just possible that the effects of his self-imposed removal have yet to reveal themselves? It’s likely that the international community will be expecting Cuba to transition to a democracy. In fact, President Bush said Castro’s decision should ignite a democratic transition for Cuba.

“The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy, and eventually this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections,” Bush said Tuesday in Rwanda. “The United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty.”

Here we go again.

The American government has decided that we will be the pillars of global democracy, spreading our wealth and knowledge to any region within our reach. Despite Castro’s resignation, the relatively new, perhaps intentionally quiet unresponsiveness of the Cubans might indicate that they are neither ready nor willing for the transition to democracy, or that they are not expecting anything to actually change. Bush’s comments simply exemplify the hubris of the American government in relation to global affairs.

One can assume that Castro might still attempt to play a role in the daily processes of the Cuban government, as his brother Raul has been named as a potential successor. His acquiescence might signal nothing more than an attempt to maintain Cuba’s stature in the international markets and to solidify the government’s power at home.

Decidedly, it seems that one dictator will be replacing another. It’s highly unlikely that the Cuban people will acquire the freedom and democracy they deserve. Castro’s resignation is likely nothing more than a political maneuver and machination to sustain the longstanding totalitarian communism throughout Cuba.

Given the longevity and relative success of communistic rule in Cuba, it’s highly unlikely that democracy will take hold. For now, the American government should hold off on lifting the embargo.

[Reach columnist Chris Heide at opinion@thedaily.washington.edu.]